Lead Counsel, UK & Europe

Infleqtion; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A global quantum technology company is seeking a highly qualified Lead Counsel for the UK and Europe. This full-time role in Oxford offers hybrid working and involves supporting the Chief Legal Officer and leadership teams. The successful candidate will handle commercial, regulatory, and strategic legal work, ensuring compliance and risk management while contributing to the company's growth. Strong commercial instincts and legal expertise in advanced technology sectors are essential.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Unlimited PTO

Generous 10% pension contribution

Cycle to work scheme

Incentive Stock Option Plan

Private Healthcare Insurance

Qualifications

• Lead Counsel for the UK and Europe with strong commercial instincts.
• Experience in supporting technology and engineering organizations.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate a variety of commercial agreements.
• Provide legal guidance to support UK and EU operations.
• Lead compliance activities for privacy and data protection.

Skills

Commercial contracting experience

Ability to provide clear advice under pressure

Cross-functional communication

Data protection knowledge

Regulatory framework understanding

Education

Qualified Solicitor of England and Wales or equivalent

Approximately 8 to 12 years PQE at a top-tier law firm

Strong academic record from a top-tier university

Job description

Infleqtion is a global quantum technology company solving some of the world’s most complex challenges. We harness quantum mechanics to build and integrate quantum computers, sensors, and networks. From foundational physics to commercial deployment, Infleqtion enables “quantum everywhere” through a growing ecosystem of devices and platforms. We are recruiting a Lead Counsel for the UK and Europe.

Location

Infleqtion has offices in the USA, United Kingdom, and Australia. This is a full‑time position based in our Oxford, UK office, with hybrid work permitted up to 2 days per week based on business needs and manager approval.

Job Summary

Infleqtion is seeking a highly qualified Lead Counsel for the UK and Europe to serve as a key partner to the Chief Legal Officer, the UK leadership team, and business units to support Infleqtion’s mission to bring quantum technologies from the lab into the world. This role will be responsible for a broad range of commercial, regulatory, and strategic legal work while contributing to the growth and maturity of Infleqtion’s global legal function. The successful candidate will bring strong commercial instincts, excellent judgment, and the curiosity to learn and support an advanced technology business operating across multiple jurisdictions. This position reports directly to the Chief Legal Officer and will play a central role in supporting our UK and EU operations, while coordinating closely with legal colleagues in the United States and Australia.

Job Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities outlined below include essential functions of the role.

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including customer contracts, vendor and procurement agreements, research collaborations, licensing arrangements, and NDAs.
• Serve as a strategic business partner to UK and European leadership, providing practical legal guidance that supports growth, accelerates commercial activities, and manages risk.
• Support corporate governance, product development, regulatory matters, intellectual property initiatives, and operational decision making.
• Collaborate with global colleagues to develop scalable legal processes, contract templates, and workflows across jurisdictions.
• Monitor and advise on evolving legal and regulatory developments relevant to quantum technologies and other advanced technologies.
• Lead UK and EU privacy and data protection compliance, acting as the primary owner of regional privacy obligations, processes, and operational requirements, including DPIAs, data mapping, data governance, and practical privacy guidance to the business.
• Lead UK and EU export control compliance activities, including UK Export Control, the EAR, and ITAR, serving as the regional point of accountability and working closely with global compliance partners to implement and oversee operational requirements.
• Conduct targeted compliance assessments and provide practical recommendations.
• Deliver training on commercial best practices, legal awareness, and ethical business conduct.

• Qualified Solicitor of England and Wales, or equivalent foreign‑qualified lawyer with significant UK experience.
• Approximately 8 to 12 years PQE, with training at a top‑tier international law firm strongly preferred.
• Outstanding academic credentials, including a strong academic record from a top‑tier university or law school.
• Strong commercial contracting experience and the ability to provide clear, actionable advice under time pressure.
• Experience supporting technology, engineering, research, or advanced manufacturing organisations is highly preferred.
• Solid understanding of data protection, export control, and other regulatory frameworks relevant to global technology operations.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross‑functionally and communicate effectively with technical and commercial stakeholders.
• High integrity, sound judgment, and an ability to balance legal risk with operational priorities.
• Exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail.

Desirable Skills And Knowledge

• Experience working with government customers or government‑funded projects.
• Familiarity with governance requirements in multinational organisations.
• Experience implementing or using contract lifecycle management tools or compliance systems.
• Background in intellectual property, licensing, or technology transfer.
• Prior in‑house experience in a high‑growth or emerging technology environment.

In addition to your base compensation, we offer a generous Total Rewards program which includes:

• Competitive salary
• Unlimited PTO
• Generous company 10% pension contribution regardless of employee contribution
• Cycle to work and Technology schemes
• Incentive Stock Option Plan
• BUPA Private Healthcare Insurance once probationary period is successfully completed

Working Conditions And Physical Requirements

Work will normally be performed in an office and laboratory environment. Able to efficiently use automated office equipment such as laptops, copiers, and printers; able to effectively engage in communications (via phone, computer, or in‑person). Will involve sitting, standing, walking, lifting, and carrying up to 10 kg.

Travel

Up to 10% travel may be required.

Equal Opportunity

Regardless of your interest in the quantum industry, you can take pride in the fact that Infleqtion is building an ecosystem of quantum technologies and commercial products, driving the industry towards the future. Studies reveal that while men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and other groups tend to apply only when they meet all the criteria. If you believe you have the potential but don't meet every single point in our job advertisement, please don't hesitate to contact us! We would love to chat with you and see how you could bring great value to our team. Our goal is to find exceptional individuals who can enrich our team culture, actively contribute, and have a genuine passion for their work. Here you have freedom to embrace your whole self: who you love, your gender identity and expression, skin colour, age, appearance, disability, neurodiversity, DNA, military/veteran status, citizenship, and other factors that make up who you are. Your uniqueness is valued, welcomed, and appreciated here. We are dedicated to providing a positive workplace and base all employment decisions on your qualifications, performance, merits, as well as business needs. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.